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CONSTITUTION'  AND  DISCIPLINE, 


OF     THE 


UNITED  BRETHREN   IN  CHRIST. 


CIRCLEVILLE,  OHIO : 


Printed  at  the  Conference  Office. 

1849. 


ORIGIN  i 


OF    THK 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


In  the  eighteenth  century  it  pleased  the 
Lord  our  God  to  awaken  persons  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  world,  who  should  raise 
up  the  Christian  religion  from  its  fallen 
state,  and  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ 
crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  the  said  century, 
the  Lord,  in  mercy,  remembered  the  Ger- 
mans of  America,  who  living  scattered  in 
this  extensive  country,  had  but  seldom  an 
opportunity  to  hear  the  gospel  of  a  cru- 
cified Savior  preached  to  them  in  their 
native  language. 

Amongst  others,  he  raised  up  William 
Otterbein  and  Martin  B(Ehm,  in  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George  A. 
Geeting  in  the  state  of  Maryland, — 
armed  them  with  spirit,  grace  and  strength, 


4  UNITED      BRETHREN 

to  labor  ni  his  neglected  vineyard,  and  to  ; 
call  among  the  Germans  in  America,  sin- 
ners to  repentance.     These   men  obeyed  , 
the  call  of  their  Lord  and  Master;  their 
labors  were  blessed  ;  they  established  in 
many  places,  excellent  societies,  and  led 
many  precious   souls  to  Jesus  Christ. —  . 
Their  sphere  of  action  spread  more  and 
more,  so  that  they  found  it  necessary  to  : 
look  about  for  more  fellow-laborers,  to  , 
engage  in  the  vineyard  of  the   Lord,  for  ' 
the  harvest  was  great  and  the  laborers  but  \ 
few.     The  Lord  called  others,  who  were  | 
willing  to  devote  their  strength  to  his  ser-  I 
vice;  such,  then,  were  accepted  by  one  or  : 
other  of  the  preachers  as  fellow  laborers.  ] 
The  number  of  members  in  the  society,  j 
in  different  parts  of  the  country,  contin-  I 
ued  to  increase  from  time   to  time;  and 
the  gracious   work  of  reformation  spread  , 
through  the  States  of  Pennsylvania,  Ma- 
ryland, and  Virginia.    Several  great  meet-  i 
ings  were  appointed,  and  held  annually ;  ' 
when,  on  such  occasions,  Otterbein  would  « 


disciplinf:.  i» 

hold  particular  conversations  with  the 
preachers  then  present,  represent  to  them 
the  importance  of  the  ministry,  and  the 
necessity  of  their  utmost  endeavors  to  save 
souls.  At  one  of  these  meetings,  it  was 
resolved  to  hold  a  conference  with  all  the 
preachers,  in  order  to  take  into  consid- 
eration, how,  and  in  what  manner  they 
mieht  be  most  useful. 

The  first  Conference  was  held  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1789.  The  following  preachers 
were  present,  viz : 

Wm.  Otterbein,  Adam  Lehma.v, 

Martin  Bcehm,  John  Ernst, 

Geo.  a.   Geeting,        Henry  Weidner, 
Ch'n  Newcomer. 

The  second  Conference  was  held  in 
Paradise  township,  York  co.,  Pa.,  at  the 
house  of  Bro.  Spaii'jler,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1791.  Tlie  following  preachers  were 
present,  viz : 

Wm.  Otterbeim,  .Tohn  Ernst, 

Martin  Bcehm,  J.  G.  Pfremmer. 


b  UNITED     BRETHREN 

Geo.  a.  Geeting,        John  Neidig, 
Ch'n  Newcomer,  Benedict  Sander, 

Adam  Lehman. 

After  mature  deliberation  how  they 
might  labor  most  usefully  in  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord,  they  again  appointed  such 
as  fellow-laborers  whom  they  had  cause 
to  believe  had  experienced  true  religion 
in  their  own  souls. 

In  the  meantime,  the  number  of  mem- 
bers continued  to  increase,  and  the  preach- 
ers were  obliged  to  appoint  an  Annual 
Conference,  in  order  to  unite  themselves 
more  closely,  and  to  labor  more  success- 
fully in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  ;  for 
some  had  been  Presbyterians  or  German 
Reformed,  some  Lutherans,  and  others, 
Menonites.  They  accordingly  appointed 
a  Conference,  to  be  held  on  the  25th  of 
September,  1800,  in  Frederick  co.,  Md., 
at  the  house  of  Bro.  Frederick  Kemp. — 
The  following  preachers  were  present,  viz  : 
Wm.  Otterbein,  Christian  KRiiiyi, 
Martin  Bcehm,  Henry  Krum, 


discipline.  7   : 

Geo.  a.  Geeting,       John  Hershey, 
Ch'n  Newcomer,         Jacob   Geisinger,    a 
Adam  Lehman,  Henry  Boehm,  ' 

Abra'm  Tracksel,      Diet'k  Auraf,         ^ 
J.  G.  Pfremmer. 

There  they  united  themselves  into  a  so- 
ciety which  bears  the  name,  "UNITED 
BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST," 
and  elected  William  Otterbein  and 
Martin  Bcehm,  as  superintendents  or 
bishops,  and  agreed  that  each  of  them  , 
should  be  at  liberty  as  to  the  mode  and 
manner  of  baptism,  to  perform  it  accord- 
ing to  their  own  convictions.  j 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing  - 
still  more  and  more,  preachers  were  ap- 
pointed to  travel  regularly,  inasmuch  as 
the  number  of  preaching  places  could  not 
otherwise  be  attended  to  ;  and  the  work 
spread  itself  into  the  states  of  Ohio  and 
Kentucky.     It  then  became  necessary  to   ' 
appoint  a  Conference  in  the  State  of  Ohio, 
because  it  was  conceived  too  laborious  for   , 
the  preachers  who  labored  in  those  States,   j 


8  UNITED    BRETHREN 

to  travel,  annually,  such  a  great  distance 
to  the  Conference. 

In  the  meantime,  Brothers  Bcehm  and 
Geeting  died,  and  brother  Otterbein 
desired  that  another  Bishop  should  be 
elected,  (because  infirmity  and  old  age 
would  not  permit  him  to  superintend  any 
longer,)  who  should  take  charge  of  the 
Society,  and  preserve  discipline  and  or- 
der. It  was  resolved  at  a  former  Confer- 
ence, that  whenever  one  of  the  bishops 
died,  another  should  be  elected  in  his 
place  :  accordingly  brother  Christian 
Newcomer  was  elected  Bishop,  to  take 
charge  of  and  superintend  the  concerns 
of  the  society. 

The  want  of  a  Discipline  in  the  Soci- 
ety had  long  been  deeply  felt,  and  partial 
attempts  having  been  made  at  different 
times,  it  was  resolved  at  the  Conference 
held  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  that  a  Gene- 
ral Conference  should  he  held  in  order  to 
accomplish  the  same,  in  a  manner  not 
derogator}^   to    the    word    of   God.     The 


DISriPLINE. 


iiieniliers  of  this  Conference  were   to  be 
elected  from  amons:  the  preachers  in  the 
different  parts  of  the    country,  by  a  vote 
of  the   society   in  general.     The   follow- 
ing Brethren  were  duly  elected,  viz  : 
Ch'n  Newcomer,         Daniei,  Treyer, 
Abr'm  Hiestand,         Geo.  Benedum, 
Andrew  Zellek,         Abr'm  Tracksel, 
Christian  BergeR;    Henry  G.  Spayth, 
Abraham  Myer,  I.  Nighswanger, 

John  Schneider,  Christian  Krum, 

Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  Bowlus. 

The  Conference  convened  on  the  6th 
of  June,  1815,  near  Mount  Pleasant, 
Westmoreland  co.,  Pa.  After  mature  de- 
liberation, they  presented  to  their  breth- 
ren a  Discipline,  containing  the  doctrine 
and  rules  of  the  church,  desiring  that 
they,  together  with  the  word  of  God, 
sliould  be  strictly  observed. 

God  is  a  God  of  order,  but  where  there 
is  no  order  nor  Church  Discipline,  the 
spirit  of  love  and  charity  will  be  lost. 

Therefore,   brethren,   we   beseech   vou 


10  UNITED   BRETHREN 

to  follow  the  example  of  our  Lord  :  as  it  is 
written,  "Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to 
another  with  brotherly  love,  in  honor  pre- 
ferring one  another.  Let  the  mind  be  in 
you  which  was  in  Christ,  who  took  up- 
on him  the  form  of  a  servant,  humbled 
himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death, 
even  the  death  of  the  cross,"  that  by  his 
grace  we  may  submit  ourselves  one  to  an- 
other in  the  fear  of  God.  He  who  will 
not  submit  is  in  want  of  humble  love. — 
Jesus  said ,  "Whosoever  will  be  chief 
among  you,  let  him  be  your  servant.  By 
this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my 
disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another; 
and  whoso  loveth  not  his  brother  abideth 
in  death."  Let  us  walk  in  newness  of 
life,  that  the  prayer  of  our  Lord  may  be 
answered  in  us :  that  we  may  be  one  in 
him,  and  that  he  may  give  us  the  glory 
which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we 
may  be  one  even  as  He  and  the  Father 
are  one.  Therefore,  beloved  brethren, 
let  us  strive  to  be  like  minded,  having  the 


DISCIPLINE.  11 

same  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of  one 
mind.  Let  no  one  speak  or  think  evil  of 
his  brother,  but  pray  God  that  He  may 
grant  us  His  Spirit,  and  an  earnest  desire 
to  lead  a  truly  devoted  life,  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  His  lioly  name  :  Amen. 


12  UNITED    BRETHREN 


SECTION   I. 


Confession  of  Faith. 

In  the  name  of  God  we  declare  and 
confess  before  all  men,  that  we  believe  in 
the  only  true  God,  the  Father,  the  Son 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these  three  are 
One,  the  Father  in  the  Son,  the  Son  in 
the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  equal  in 
essence  or  being  with  both  ;  that  this  tri- 
une God  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth, 
and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  as  well  as 
invisible,  and  furthermore  sustains,  gov- 
erns, protects  and  supports  the  same. 

We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ ;  that  He 
is  very  God  and  man  ;  that  he  became 
incarnate  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
in  the  virgin  Mary,  and  was  born  of  her  ; 
that  He  is  the  Savior  and  Mediator  of  the 
whole  human  race,  if  they  with  full  faith 
in  him,  accept  the  grace  proffered  in  Je- 
sus ;  that  this  Jesus  suflfered  and  died  on 
the  cross   for  us,  was  buried,  arose  again 


DISCIPLINE.  13 

on  llie  third  day,  ascended  into  Heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to 
intercede  for  us  ;  and  that  he  shall  come 
again  at  the  last  day,  to  judge  the  quick 
and  the  dead. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  that 
He  is  equal  in  being  with  the  Father  and 
the  Son  ;  and  that  he  comforts  the  faith- 
ful, and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

We  believe  in  a  holy  christian  Church, 
the  communion  of  saints,  the  resurrection 
of  the  body,  and  life  everlasting. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old 
and  New  Testament,  is  the  word  of  God  ; 
that  it  contains  the  only  true  way  to  our 
salvation  ;  that  every  true  christian  is 
bound  to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  with 
the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  as  the 
only  rule  and  guide ;  and  that  without 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  true  repentance,  for- 
giveness of  sins,  and  following  after  Christ, 
no  one  can  be  a  true  christian. 

We  also  believe  that  what  is  contained 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  to  wit ;    the  fall 


14  UNITED  BRETHREN 

ill  Adam,  and  redemption  tlirough  Jesus 
Christ,  shall  be  preached  throughout  the 
world. 

We  believe  that  the  ordinances,  name- 
ly ;  baptism,  and  the  remembrance  of  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  are  to  be  in  use,  and  practised  by 
all  christian  societies  ;  and  that  it  is  in- 
cumbent on  all  the  children  of  God,  par- 
ticularly to  practise  them  ;  but  the  man- 
ner in  which,  ought  always  to  be  left  to 
the  judgment  and  understanding  of  every 
individual.  Also,  the  example  of  wash- 
ing feet,  is  left  to  the  judgment  of  every 
one,  to  practise  or  not ;  but  it  is  not  be- 
coming for  any  of  our  preachers  or  mem- 
bers to  traduce  any  of  their  brethren  whose 
judgment  and  understanding  in  this  res- 
pect are  different  from  their  own,  either 
in  public  or  private.  Whosoever  shall 
make  himself  guilty  in  this  respect,  shall 
be  considered  a  traducer  of  his  brethren, 
and  shall  be  answerable  for  the  same. 


DISCIPLINE.  15 

SECTION  II. 

Coustitution. 

We,  the  members  of  llie  Church  of  the 
UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST, 
in  the  name  of  God,  do,  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,  as 
well  as  to  produce  and  secure  a  uniform 
mode  of  action,  in  faith  and  practice,  as 
also  to  define  the  powers  and  the  busi- 
ness of  Quarterly,  Annual,  and  General 
Conferences,  as  recognized  by  this  church, 
ordain  the  following  articles  of  CONSTI- 
TUTION. 

ARTICLE    I. 

Section  1,  All  ecclesiastical  power 
herein  granted,  to  make  or  repeal  any 
rule  of  Discipline,  is  vested  in  a  General 
Conference,  which  shall  consist  of  Elders, 
elected  by  the  members  in  every  Confer- 


16  UNITED    BRETHREN 

eiice  Diblrict  throughout  the  Society;  pro- 
vided however,  such  Elders  shall  have 
stood  in  that  capacity  three  years,  in  the 
Conference  District  to  which  they  belong. 

Sec.  2.  General  Conference  is  to  be 
held  every  four  years  ;  the  Bishops  to  be 
considered  members  and  presiding  offi- 
cers. 

Sec.  3.  Each  Annual  Conference  shall 
place  before  the  society  the  names  of  all 
the  Elders  eligible  to  membership  in  the 
General  Conference. 

ARTICLE     II. 

Section  1.  The  General  Conference 
shall  define  tlie  boundaries  of  the  Annual 
Conferences. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall 
at  every  session,  elect  Bishops  from 
among  the  Elders,  throughout  the  church, 
who  have  stood  six  years  in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  3.  The  business  of  each  Annual 
Conference  shall  be  done  strictly,  accord- 
ing to  Discipline  ;  and  any  Annual  Con- 


DISCIPLINE. 


n 


ference  acting  contrary  thereunto,  shall, 
by  impeachment,  be  tried  by  the  General 
Conference. 

Sec.  -1.  No  rule  or  ordinance  shall  at 
any  time  be  passed,  to  change  or  do  away 
the  Confession  of  Faith  as  it  now  stands, 
nor  to  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 

Sec.  5.  There  shall  no  rule  be  adopted 
that  will  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  any 
as  it  relates  to  the  mode  of  baptism,  the 
sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper,  or  the 
washing  of  feet. 

Sec.  0.  There  shall  be  no  rule  made 
that  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their 
votes  in  the  Annual  Conferences  to  which 
they  severally  belong. 

Sec.   7.     There  shall  be  no  connection 
with  secret  combinations,  nor  shall  invol- 
untary servitude  be  tolerated  in  any  way. 
Sec.  8.     The   right  of  appeal  shall  be 
inviolate. 

ARTICLE  III. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of 
2 


18  rXITED    BRETHREN 

all  propertVj  whether  consisting  in  lots  oi' 
ground,  meetinghouses,  legacies,  bequests, 
or  donations  of  any  kind,  obtained  by 
purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any  person  or 
persons,  for  the  use,  benefit,  and  behoof 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  is  hereby  fully  recognised  and 
held  to  be  property  of  the  Church  afore- 
said. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

There  shall  be  no  alteration  of  the 
foregoing  constitution,  unless  by  request 
of  two -thirds  of  the  whole  Society. 

May  19,  1841. 

SECTION  III. 

General  Conference. 

Question  1st.  Who  are  the  members 
of  the  General  Conference  ? 

OCX"  'S^^  Constitution. 

Question  2.  How  arc  thev  to  be  elec- 
ted ? 

Ans.   1.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 


MS.riPI.INE.  J  9 

Annual  Conference  to  appoint  a  commit- 
tee of  three  in  their  several  conference 
districts,  to  receive  and  count  the  votes, 
and  immediately  apprize  those  who  may 
have  been  elected  ;  also  to  furnish  the 
presiding  Elders  with  a  list  of  all  the  El- 
ders eligible. 

2.  The  presiding  Elders  shall  furnish 
each  preacher  in  charge,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  furnish  each  class-leader  or 
steward,  throughout  the  circuits,  with  a 
copy  of  the  same,  at  least  ten  months  be- 
fore the  sitting  of  General  Conference, 
and  the  election  to  be  held  invariably 
within  the  first  ten  days  of  November 
next  preceding  the  sitting  of  said  Confer- 
ence. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class- 
leader  or  steward,  to  appoint  a  meeting 
of  the  members  of  each  class,  for  the 
purpose  of  electing,  by  ballot  or  other- 
wise, their  delegates  to  represent  them  in 
General  Conference.  Should  any  be  in- 
capacitated by  affliction  or  age  to   attend 


20  UNITED  BRETHREN 

such  meeting,  they  may  send  a  ballot  con- 
taining the  names  of"  the  candidates  of 
their  choice,  and  their  own  name  signed 
on  the  back  of  their  ballot, 

4,  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class- 
leader,  or  steward,  to  sign,  enclose,  and 
seal  each  bill  of  election,  and  keep  a  cor- 
rect copy  of  the  same,  stating  what  class 
and  circuit,  and  hand  it  over  to  the  preach- 
er in  charge,  who  shall  deliver  it  to  the 
presiding  Elder,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
transmit  it  to  the  committee  appointed  by 
the  Annual  Conference. 

5.  Said  committee  shall  make  a  list 
of  all  the  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the 
number  of  votes  for  each.  And  should 
any  two  or  more  of  the  candidates  have 
an  equal  number  of  votes,  the  committee 
shall  determine,  by  lot,  who,  or  which  of 
them  are  elected.  They  shall  also  for- 
ward the  names  of  those  elected  to  the 
Conference  Printing  Establishment  for 
publication,  and  if  one  or  more  of  the 
brethren  liighest   on   the  bill  of  election 


DISCIPLIXE.  21 

should  be  prevented  by  death,  sickness, 
or  otherwise,  from  attending,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  tellers  to  notify  the  next 
highest  on  the  bill  to  take  his  place,  and 
so  descend  if  need  be  to  the  last  candi- 
date. 

Ques.  3.  What  shall  be  the  number 
of  delegates  to  General  Conference  ? 

Aiis.  Three  from  each  Annual  Con- 
ference District. 

Ques.  4.  How  shall  the  expenses  of 
the  delegates  to  the  General  Conference 
be  defrayed  ? 

Arts.  When  the  class-loader  or  stew- 
ard takes  the  votes  for  delegates  to  Gen- 
eral Conference,  he  shall  lift  a  collection 
for  that  purpose,  which  he  shall  remit  to 
the  committee,  who  are  to  count  the  votes, 
an  1  the  committe  shall  pay  it  over  to  the 
delegates  elected. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  General 
Conference,  to  examine  the  administration 
of  each  Annual  Conference,  whether  it 
has  strictly  observed  the  rules,  and   pre- 


22  LMTED   BKKTHREN 

served  the  moral  principles  of  the  Discip- 
line in  all  its  transactions. 

In  the  election  of  all  officers  of  the 
General  Conference,  a  majority  of  all  the 
votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

SECTION    IV. 

Annual  Conference. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  members  of 
this  Conference  ? 

Atu.  All  the  Elders  and  licentiate 
preachers,  who  have  been  duly  received 
by  the  Conference. 

Ques.  2.  In  what  manner  are  the  trans- 
actions of  a  Conference  to  be  conducted  ? 

Atis.  1.  A  portion  of  Scripture  shall 
be  read  ;  also  singing  and  prayer  each 
day,  at  the  opening  and  at  the  closing  of 
Conference. 

2.  The  conference  shall  elect  two  Sec- 
retaries, one  German  and  one  English, 
wherever  it  may  be  necessary.  And  when 
but  one  Bishop  is  present,  the  Conference 
shall  elect  a  chairman  bv  ballot  to  act  in 


DISCIPLINE.  23 

cunjunciion  with  the  Bishop.  Jf  no  Bish- 
op shouhl  be  present,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
ol"  the  Annual  Conference  to  elect  a  Bish- 
op pro  tern,  whose  official  acts  shall  be 
valid. 

3.  The  preachers  shall  be  examined 
respecting  their  deportment  towards  their 
fellow-beings,  whether  their  conduct  in 
life  be  blameless,  and  whether  they  em- 
ploy as  much  time  as  possible  to  pro- 
mote the  kingdom  of  God;  according  to 
Titus,  1st  chap.,  Tth  to  9th  verse,  and  2nd 
Tim.,  2nd  chap.  15th  v.;  and  shall  be  ad- 
monished or  advised  as  the  case  may  be. 

The  following  questions  shall  then  be 
asked : 

1.  Have  any  of  the  preachers  died 
during  the  last  year  ? 

2.  Who  are  the  candidates  for  the 
ministry  ? 

3.  Are  any  to  be  ordained  to  the  office 
of  P:ider  ? 

4.  What  has  been  collected  for  con- 


24  UNITED    BRETHREN 

tingent  expenses  and  the   salary   of  trav- 
eling preachers  ? 

5.  Has  reckoning  been  made  with  the 
traveling  preachers  ? 

6.  Have  they  received  their  dues  ? 

'7,  Who  are  willing  to  travel  the  ensu- 
ing year  without  reserve  ? 

8.  Who  are  the  Presiding  Elders  ? 

9.  Where  are  the  preachers  stationed 
this  year  ? 

11.  Where  shall  our  next  Conference 
be  held  ? 

12.  Is  there  any  thing  else  to  be  done? 

13.  Is  all  that  lias  been  done  entered 
upon  record  ? 

SECTION  V. 

Reception  of   Preachers. 

Ques.  1.  How  are  the  preachers  re- 
ceived ? 

Ans.  Every  person  proposed  as  a 
preacher  shall  be  examined  by  the  Con- 


DISCIPLINE. 


25 


ference,  or  a  select  committee  ;  and   the 
following  questions  shall  be  put  to  him, 


VIZ 


Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus 
to  be  a  sin  pardoning  God  ? 

Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and  is 
the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 

Do  you  follow  after  holiness  ? 

Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the 
word  of  God  ;  and  that  therein  is  con- 
tained the  true  way  to  our  salvation  ? 

What  founilation  have  you  for  that  be- 
lief ? 

Wiiat  is  your  motive  for  desiring  per- 
mission to  preach  the  gospel  ? 

What  is  your  knowledge  of  faith,  of 
depravity,  of  repentance,  justification, 
sanctification,  and  redemption  ? 

Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  sal- 
vation of  your  fellow  mortals,  lie  nearer 
to  your  heart  than  all  other  things  in  the 
world  ? 


26  UMTED      BRETHKE."^ 

Can  you  subject  yourself  to  the  coun- 
sel of  your  brethren  ? 

Are  you  satisfied  with  our  church  gov- 
ernment ? 

Will  you  be  obedient  and  ready  to 
speak  or  hold  your  peace,  as  your  breth- 
ren may  think  expedient  ? 

Are- you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in  your 
power,  to  assist  in  upholding  the  itinerant 
plan,  and  supporting  the  same  as  much 
as  possible  ? 

If  None  can  be  admitted  without  hav- 
ing a  recommendation  from  the  Quarterly 
Conference,  and  then  only  to  be  re- 
ceived on  probation;  but  if  Conference 
should  on  examination,  find  that  his  abil- 
ities are  insufficient  to  preach  the  gospel, 
it  may  refer  him  back  to  the  Quarterly 
Conference  for  further  instruction,  or  re- 
ject him,  as  the  case  may  be. 

SECTIOX  VI. 

Course  of  Reading. 
Holding    that   at    least    a    measurable 


DISCIPLINE.  27 

knowledge  of  the  Holy  Bible  is  requisite 
for  any  one,  to  fit  him  for  the  Christian 
Ministry,  therefore,  the  following  arrange- 
ment of  the  great  features  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  in  regular  order,  is  considered 
by  us  advisable,  and  also,  an  assistant  to 
a  proposed  minister  in  the  study  thereof, 
therefore,  none  shall  be  admitted  to  mem- 
bership into  Annual  Conference,  who 
Hoes  not  apply  himself  diligently  to  the 
study  of  the  following  particulars,  viz  : 
The  Doctrine — Biography — Geography 
— History  and  Chronology  of  the  Bible. 

SECTION    VII. 

Organization  of  the  Itinerancy  and  the 
Manner  of  Sustaining  it. 

Ques.     Who  are  the  Itinerants  ? 

Ans.  1.  All  who  propose  themselves 
without  reserve,  and  are  received  by  a  vote 
of  Conference,  shall  be  considered  Itin- 
erants from  year  to  year,  and  may  be  em- 
ployed under  the  direction  of  the  General^ 
or  Annual  Conferences. 


28  UNITED     BRETHREN 

2.  The  Bishops  and  presiding  Elders 
of  the  past  and  present  year,  together  with 
an  equal  number  of  local  Elders  or  preach- 
ers, elected  by  the  Annual  Conference, 
shall  constitute  a  stationing  committee, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  supply  all  the 
circuits,  stations,  and  missions,  as  far  as 
practicable,  from  the  above  list: 

Provided,  however,  that  if  any  of  the 
preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any  who  may 
not  receive  an  appointment,  are  dissatis- 
fied, they  shall  have  a  right  to  appeal  to 
the  Annual  Conference,  if  two  thirds  grant 
the  appeal ;  the  decision  of  which  shall 
be  final,  and  the  report  of  said  stationing 
committee  shall  be  read  at  least  twenty- 
four  hours  before  the  adjournment  of  Con- 
ference. 

3.  Should  there  not  be  enough  Itine- 
rants to  fill  all  the  circuits,  stations  and 
missions,  such  vacancy  shall  be  supplied 
by  the  presiding  Elders. 

Ques.  2.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
support  of  Itinerants  ? 


DISCIPLINE.  29 

A71S.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
preacher  in  charge,  in  conjunction  with 
the  stewards  of  the  quarterly  conference, 
at  its  first  session  in  each  year,  to  make 
out  an  estimate  of  the  regular  expenses 
of  the  circuit  or  station,  and  apportion 
the  same  among  the  different  appoint- 
ments according  to  their  several  abilities  : 

Provided^  however,  should  any  Annu- 
al Conference  think  any  other  measure 
expedient,  they  may  adopt  it. 

Ques.  3.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
support  of  the  presiding  Elders  ? 

A?is,  Jt  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  An- 
nual Conference  to  make  such  regula- 
tions for  the  support  of  the  presiding  El- 
ders as  th^y  in  their  wisdom  may  think  best 
calculated  to  accomplish  the  desired  end, 

Qioes.  4.  How  shall  the  presiding  El- 
ders be  elected  ? 

Ans.  The  Annual  Conference  shall 
elect  them  by  ballot.  A  majority  of  the 
whole  number  of  votes  shall  be  necessary 
to  a  choice. 


30  UNITED  BRETHREN 

Ques.  5.     How  shall  they  be  stationed? 

Ans.     By  the  Bishop  and  two  Elders. 

Qites.  6.  How  shall  the  Bishops'  fields 
of  labor  be  assigned  them  ? 

Ans.  By  the  General  Conference,  and 
in  the  fields  thus  assigned  them  they  shall 
devote  their  whole  time: 

Provided,  however,  that  they  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  making  interchan- 
ges when  circmiistances  make  it  necessa- 
ry, the  same  not  being  inconsistent  with 
the  wishes  of  the  respective  Annual  Con- 
ferences. 

Qties.  T  How  shall  their  support  be  se- 
cured ? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preach- 
ers in  charge  of  circuits  and  stations,  to 
lift  a  collection  annually  at  each  of  their 
preaching  places,  for  the  support  of  their 
Bishops. 

Ques.  8.  What  shall  be  done  to  reg- 
ulate the  Annual  Conferences  in  the  di- 
vision of  circuits  or  stations? 

Ajis.     a   circuit  or   station   shall    not 


DISCIFMNT.  31 

ronsist  in  any  specific  number  of  mem- 
bers, or  appointments,  but  when  the  An- 
nual Conference  thinks  it  able  to  support 
a  minister,  it  may  be  recognized  as  such. 

IT  If  any  who  are  received  as  above 
stated,  shall  cease  to  travel  without  giv- 
ing satisfaction  to  the  Conference  of  w^hicli 
he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to 
any  support  from  the  funds  belonging  to 
said  Conference.  And  furthermore,  he 
shall  not  re-enter  the  itinerancy  without 
the  consent  of  at  least  two  thirds  of  Con- 
ference. Yet  supernumerary  and  super- 
annuated relations  shali-  be  duly  recog- 
nised as  in  accordance  with  this  section, 
and  may  be  secured  to  any  brother  hav- 
ing just  claims  thereto  by  a  vote  of  Con- 
ference. 

Should  a  traveling  preacher  or  Elder 
desire  to  leave  the  work  assigned  him,  he 
must  first  acquaint  the  presiding  Elder  of 
his  intention  by  writing  ;  and  should  any 
one  leave  or  neglect  his  station,  except  it 
be  through  sickness  or  other  unavoidable 


32  UNITED  BRETHREN 

circumstances,  he  shall  be  accountable  to 
the  next  Annual  Conference,  and  shall 
not  be  entitled  to  any  salary  for  the  time 
he  may  have  traveled  during  the  year, 

SECTION  viir. 

Missionary   Societies;— Foreign  and 
Home. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  to  promote 
the  further  extension  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  in  the  world  ? 

Ans.  1.  The  old  Foreign  Missionary 
vSociety  shall  be  immediately  revived,  and 
the  former  officers  and  Trustees  be  and 
are  hereby  appointed  for  the  ensuing  four 
years. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  Annu- 
al Conference  of  our  church  to  adopt 
some  suitable  plan,  by  which  annual  col- 
lections may  be  raised  for  the  foregoing 
obiect,  said  collections  to  be  forwarded  to 
the  Treasurer  of  said  society. 

3.  The  Trustees  and  Officers  of  said 


DISCIPLINE.  33 

society  shall  constitute  a  board  of  mis- 
sions, which  is  hereby  authorized  to  send 
missionaries  to  Oregon  and  elsewhere,  as 
soon  as  men  and  means  can  be  raised. 
'  4.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  each 
Annual  Conference  in  our  connection  to 
resolve  itself  into  a  Home  Missionay  So- 
ciety, simply  by  appointing  a  Treasurer 
or  Treasurers,  the  object  of  which  shall 
be  to  extend  the  gospel  within  its  own 
limits  and  elsewhere. 

5.  Annual  collections  shall  be  lifted, 
when  practicable,  on  all  the  circuits  and 
stations  within  said  bounds  for  the  above 
object. 

6.  All  appropriations  of  funds  be- 
longing to  the  Home  Missionary  Society, 
shall  be  made  by  the  respective  Annual 
Conferences. 

Y.     All  bequests  or  donations,  the  in- 
terest of  which  is  to  go  to  Missionary  pur- 
poses, made   to  either   of  the  above  soci- 
eties, shall  be  kept  sacred. 
3 


34  UNITED  BRETHREN 

SECTION    IX. 

Grerman  Missionary  Societies, 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  to  extend 
the  blessings  of  the  Gospel  to  the  Ger- 
mans of  the  west  ? 

Ans,  1st.  Let  all  our  Annual  Con- 
ferences, as  far  as  practicable,  constitute 
German  Missionary  socities  for  said  pur- 
pose. 

2.  Said  Conferences  shall,  as  far  as 
circumstances  may  admit,  form  missions, 
circuits,  and  stations;  and  as  far  as  pos- 
sible supply  them  with  men  and  means. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  Annual 
Conference  to  cause  collections  to  be 
taken  up  annually,  when  practicable,  for 
German  Missionary  purposes  on  all  the 
circuits  and  stations  within  its  bounds. 
Said  collections  shall  be  forwarded  to  their 
respective  Annual  Conferences,  and  by 
them  be  appropriated  to  the  extension  of 
the  German  work  within  their  own  bounds, 
or  elsewhere. 

4.  It  is  earnestly  desired   and    recom- 


DISCIPLINE.  35 

mended,  that  all  our  Annual  Conferences, 
especially  in  the  west,  use  all  laudable 
means  to  encourage  and  keep  up  German 
preaching,  wherever  hearers  can  be  had. 

SECTION  X. 

Quarterly  Conference. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  members  of 
the  Quarterly  Conference  ? 

Ans.  All  the  properly  recognised 
preachers,  exhorters,  leaders,  stewards, 
and  Trustees  of  meeting  houses,  who 
reside  within  the  bounds  of  the  circuit  or 
station. 

Ques.  2.  What  is  the  business  of  the 
Quarterly  Conference  ? 

Ans.  1.  In  the  absence  of  the  Pre- 
siding Elder  the  Quarterly  Conference 
shall  elect  a  Presiding  Elder  pro  tern, 
whose  official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

2.  To  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  keep  a  correct  record  of  ali 
their  proceedings,  in  a  book  provided  for 
that  purpose,  in   which  the  names  of  all 


36  UNITED  BRETHREN 

the  members,  composing  the   said   Con- 
ference shall  be  entered. 

3.  To  make  a  general,  or,  if  necessa- 
ry, a  particular  enquiry  into  the  moral 
deportment  and  official  character  of  all 
its  members. 

4.  To  receive  and  try  all  appeals, 
references  and  complaints,  that  may  come 
regularly  before  it,  but  no  member  of 
Quarterly  Conference  can  be  suspended, 
or  expelled  prior  to  a  committee  trial. 

5.  To  grant  license  to  exhort,  or 
preach,  to  such  as  may  have  been  recom- 
mended by  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  class 
(in  each  case  a  recommendation  must  be 
obtained)  of  which  he  or  they  may  be 
members;  provided  however,  that  none 
shall  receive  license  who  cannot  give  sat- 
isfactory evidence  of  his  or  their  call,  ex- 
perience, soundness  in  doctrine,  and  at- 
tachment to  our  church  and  government. 

6.  To  make  settlement  with  the  stew- 
ards and  traveling  preachers. 

7.  That  the  license  of  exhorters,  and 


DISCIPLINE.  3*7 

Quarterly  Conference-licenseil  preachers, 
be  subject  to  renewal  annually. 

8.  And  that  after  such  licentiate 
preachers  have  stood  in  that  capacity  one, 
or  more  years,  the  Quarterly  Conference 
may  recommend  them  to  the  Annual  Con- 
ference. 

9.  All  preachers  recommended  to  the 
Annual  Conference,  and  not  received, 
may  sustain  their  former  relation. 

Ques.  3.  How  are  preachers  from 
other  societies  received  ? 

Ans.  If  they  come  to  us  with  certifi- 
cates of  good  standing  in  the  society  in 
which  they  have  had  membership,  and 
give  satisfaction  to  the  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence on  examination  on  the  doctrine,  dis- 
cipline, church  government  and  usages  of 
our  church,  then  the  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence may  license  them  till  the  next  Annu- 
al Conference  ensuing;  after  which,  if 
their  conduct  and  doctrine  be  in  accor- 
dance with  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  they 
may  be  considered  as  preachers  or  elders, 


38  UNITED      BRETHREN 

who  stand  under  a  similar  license  among 
us. 

Ques.  4.  What  directions  are  neces- 
sary in  case  of  appeals  ? 

Ans.  Any  exhorter  or  preacher,  dis- 
satisfied with  the  decision  of  a  Quarterly 
Conference,  shall,  within  thirty  days  after 
the  Quarterly  Conference  notify  the  sec- 
retary, in  writing,  of  his  intention  to  ap- 
peal, together  with  his  reasons  for  so  do- 
ing; and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secre- 
tary to  take  or  send  a  certified  copy  of  the 
proceedings,  the  notification  and  rea- 
sons assigned,  to  the  Annual  Conference. 

Ques.  5.  Where  shall  our  next  Quar- 
terly conference  be  held  ? 

It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the  Quar- 
terly Conference  to  open  and  close  by 
singing  and  prayer. 

SECTION    XI. 

Members  in  General. 

Qxies.  How  shall  members  be  taken 
into  our  society  ? 


DISCIPLINE.  39 

Afis.  When  at  any  meeting,  a  person 
makes  known  a  design  to  become  a  mem- 
ber of  our  society,  then  the  preacher  pres- 
ent shall  put  to  him  or  her  the  following 
question : 

"Have  you  experienced  the  pardon  of 
your  sin?,  and  are  you  determined  by  the 
grace  of  God,  to  save  your  soul  ?" 

If  the  person  answer  the  question  in 
the  affirmative,  and  no  objection  be  raadjg 
by  any  member,  on  account  of  his  or  her 
immoral  conduct,  then  the  preacher  will 
give  his  right  hand  to  such,  as  a  member 
of  our  society,  and  record  his  or  her  name 
on  the  class-book  ;  but  so  long  as  any 
person  cannot  answer  the  above  question 
in  the  affirmative,  such  person  shall  not 
be  considered  in  full  membership,  and 
shall  have  no  vote  in  the  society  ;  but 
shall  be  recognised  as  a  seeker  under  the 
watch-care  of  the  society. 

Every  member  of  this  society  shall 
acknowledge  and  confess  that  he  believes 
the  Bible  to   be,  and  contain   the    holy 


40  UNITED    BRETHREN 

word  of  God;  that  he  will  henreforth 
strive  with  all  his  heart,  to  peek  his  eter- 
nal welfare  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  work  out 
his  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  to 
the  end  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  fee 
from  the  wrath  to  ccme. 

Every  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead 
a  good  life,  be  diligent  in  prayer,  particu- 
larly in  private,  and,  for  his  own  edifica- 
tion, to  be  present  at,  and  attend,  when 
practicable,  all  of  ourmeetings  for  worship. 

Heads  of  families  should  never  omit  to 
pray  with  their  families,  morning  and 
evening,  and  set  them  a  good  example  in 
all  the  christian  virtues. 

Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in 
the  presence  of  God;  also,  accustom  him- 
self to  a  close  communion  with  God  in  all 
his  employments,  and  never  speak  evil  of 
his  fellow  beings,  but  practise  love  to- 
wards friend  and  foe;  do  good  to  the  poor, 
and  endeavor  to  be  a  follower  of  Jetus 
Christ  indeed. 

Every  one  shall  keep  the   Srdbath  day 


DISriPI.INE.  41 

holy,  as  required  in  the  word  of  God — 
neither  buy  nor  sell,  but  spend  the  same 
in  exercises  of  devotion,  in  reading  and 
hearing  the  word  of  God,  and  with  sing- 
ing spiritual  hymns  to  the  honor  and  glo- 
ry of  God. 

It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  lead 
a  quiet,  peaceable,  and  godly  life  among 
men,  as  it  becomes  a  christian  to  live  in 
peace,  and  be  subject  to  the  higher  or  ru- 
ling powers,  as  the  word  of  God  requires. 

Every  member  of  our  society  should 
willingly  and  freely  contribute  something 
quarterly,  "as  the  Lord  hath  prospered 
him,"  1  Cor.,  xvi  :  2,  towards  the  sup- 
port of  the  itinerant  preachers. 

When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our  class 
leaders,  that  there  are  poor  members 
among  them,  who  by  sickness,  accident, 
or  other  unavoidable  circumstances,  have 
been  brought  to  want,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  leader  in  charge,  to  go,  or  appoint 
one  to  wait  upon  the  class,  to  ask  alms, 
money,  clotliing,  or   produce,  as   the  cir- 


42  UNITED  BRETHREX 

cumstances  may  require;  and  should  any 
one  class  be  loo  poor  to  alleviate  their 
poor,  it  shall  then  be  made  known  to  the 
preacher  in  charge,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  inform  the  different  classes  on  his  cir- 
cuit, and  if  it  should  so  happen  that  any 
one  circuit  should  be  insufficient  to  meet 
the  wants  of  their  poor,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  presiding  Elder  to  present  the 
matter  on  the  different  circuits  at  their 
Quarterly  Conferences,  so  that  the  una- 
voidable poor  of  our  church  may  be  con- 
sidered and  provided  for.  1  John,  iii:  17, 
Psalm  xli  :    1,  2. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  the  advice  of  the 
General  Conference,  that  all  districts,  sta- 
tions, circuits,  and  missions,  consisting 
of  classes  and  otherwise,  to  cheerfully 
receive  the  preachers  appointed  by  the 
stationing  committees  of  the  respective 
Annual   Conferences. 

The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for 
the  better  regulation  of  our  society;  and 
we  believe  thev  are  founded  in  the  word 


DISCIPLINE.  43 

of  God,  and  incumbent  on  all  who  are 
members  of  our  church  to  observe. — 
Should  any  violate,  or  habitually  neglect 
these  rules,  they  shall  be,  by  their  respec- 
tive class-leaders,  admonished  to  reforma- 
tion ;  and  should  they  not  reform  they 
shall  be  suspended  or  expelled,  as  the 
case  may  require. 

Admonition  on  Dress. — Inasmuch  as 
the  Lord  has  commanded  us  not  to  be 
conformed  to  this  world,  (Rom.  12:  2) 
to  lay  apart  all  filthiness,  and  super- 
fluity of  naughtiness,  (James,  1:21)  and 
as  the  principles  of  the  christian  re- 
ligion, as  taught  both  by  the  precepts  and 
example  of  the  meek  and  adorable  Savior, 
are  in  strict  and  perfect  accordance  wdth 
these  commandments, — 

We  therefore  humbly  beseech  and  ad- 
monish the  members  of  our  church,  both 
male  and  female,  to  observe  these  divine 
precepts,  in  buying,  making,  and  wearing 
of  apparel,  as  also  the  cutting  and  wear- 
ing of  the  hair,  especially  our  ministers 


44  UNITED  BRETHREN 

and  their  families^    they  being  ensam- 
pies  to  the  flock. 

SECTION  XII. 

Classes. 

I.  A  class  shall  consist  of  three  or 
more  members,  who  shall  annually  elect 
one  member  from  their  own  or  some  other 
class,  who  shall  be  called  their  leader. 

Ques.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  leader  ? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet  his 
class  in  prayer  or  class  meeting,  at  least 
once  a  week  ;  to  speak  to  them  concern- 
ing the  spiritual  welfare  of  their  souls, 
and  exhort  them  to  unity  and  love.  He 
shall  extend  the  freedom  of  our  prayer 
and  class  meetings  to  all  sincere  and  well 
disposed  persons  who  may  desire  to  at- 
tend them. 

II.  Every  class  shall  annually  elect 
one  who  shall  be  called  class-steward. 

Ques.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  steward  ? 

Alls.    1.     He    shall    collect   quarterly 

contributions  for  the  support  of  the  trav- 


DISCIPLINE.  45 

eliiig  preachers ;  keep  an  accurate  ac- 
count thereof,  and  return  the  same  to  each 
Quarterly  Conference. 

2.  He  shall  be  accountable  to  the 
Quarterly  Conference  for  ihe  faithful  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  steward  of  his  class. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  his  duty  to  provide 
the  elements  for  Sacrament. 

Ques,   What  are  the  duties  of  exhorters? 

Ans,  To  make  appointments  wher- 
ever it  is  acceptable  to  the  people  ;  read 
portions  of  sacred  Scripture,  exhorting 
therefrom ;  exhorting  saints,  that  they 
with  purpose  of  heart  should  cleave  to 
the  Lord,  and  sinners  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come;  and  this  they  shall  do  as 
often  as  practicable. 

Ques,  What  shall  be  done  in  case  of 
immoral  conduct  ? 

Ans.  The  class  shall  appoint  one  or 
more  to  visit  the  offending  brother  or 
member,  and  if  possible  reclaim  him;  but 
if  unsuccessful,  he  or  she  shall  be  tried 
by  the   class  to  which   they  belong,  or  a 


46  UNITED     BRETHREN 

select  number  thereof  chosen  by  the  par- 
ties concerned,  with  the  preacher  in  charge 
of  the  circuit  or  station,  who  shall  be 
chairman;  and,  if  found  guilty,  the  accu- 
sed shall  be  expelled,  unless  satisfaction 
be  given  -by  an  expression  of  repentance 
or  otherwise.  But,  should  any  member 
be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision,  an  appeal 
maybe  had  to  the  Quarterly  Conference, 
by  giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher 
in  charge.  In  such  case,  however,  the 
same  persons  shall  not  sit  in  judgment  on 
the  same  case.  Yet,  cases  may  happen, 
where  it  w^ould  be  expedient  to  choose  a 
committee  from  any  other  class,  or  clas- 
ses, than  the  one  to  which  the  parties  be- 
long ;  also,  an  elder  may  be  chosen  as 
chairman,  should  the  preacher  in  charge 
deem  it  best  to  do  so. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  mem- 
bers tresspass  against  each  other  ? 

A?is.  "If  thy  brother  shall  tresspass 
against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  be- 
tween thee  and  him  alone  ;  if  he  shall  hear 


DISCIPLINE.  "47    1 

thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother ;  but  if 
he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee  j 
one  or  two  more  ;  and  if  he  shall  neglect  I 
to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church  ;  but  j 
if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  J 
him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a 
publican."  i 

Qices.     What  shall  be  done  in  cases  of   | 
disputes  between  meiubers  or  preachers  ? 

Alls.     The  preacher  to  whom  it  shall 
be  known,  shall  inquire  into  the   circum-    ' 
stances  of  the  case,  and  shall  recommend    ., 
to  the  contending  parties  a  reference,  con- 
sisting of  one  arbiter  chosen  by  the  plain- 
tiff and   another  by  the  defendant,  and  a    j 
third  by  these  two  ;  then   these   three  are 
to  decide. 

But,  if  either  be  dissatisfied  with  the  I 
decision,  such  may  have  a  right  to  an  ap- 
peal  to  the  next  Quarterly  Conference  for  i 
a  second  arbitration,  v^here  each  party  i 
shall  choose  two  arbiters,  and  the  four  i 
shall  choose  a  fifth  ;  a  decision  of  the  ma-  '\ 
jority  of  whom   shall  be  final.     Any  per-     i 


48  UNITED     BRETHREN 

6011  refusing  to  abide  by  this  decision,  and 
every  member  refusing,  in  case  of  debt  or 
disputes,  to  refer  the  matter  to  arbitration 
when  recommended  to  him  by  a  preacher 
or  leader  ;  or  who  shall  enter  into  a  law- 
suit with  another  member  before  these 
measures  are  taken,  shall  be  expelled  ; 
except  when  the  case  is  of  such  a  nature 
as  to  require  and  justify  a  process  at  law, 
as  executors  or  administrators,  or  when  a 
member  is  in  danger  of  suffering  an  unex- 
pected loss  of  property. 

Every  class  leader  shall  keep  a  record 
of  the  proceedings  of  church  trils,  deaths, 
expulsions  and  removals,  in  a  book  provi- 
ded for  that  purpose  ;  and  it  shall  be  his 
duty,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  to  send  said 
record  to  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  license 
to  exhort  or  preach,  must  obtain  from  the 
class  of  which  he  is  a  member,  by  a  vote 
of  two- thirds  of  the  members,  a  recom- 
mendation in  writing,  signed  by  the  lead- 


DISCIPLINL.  49 

er  to  the  Quarterly  Conference  of  his  cir- 
cuit or  station. 

SECTION    XIII. 

Preachers'  Duties. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  preach- 
ers ? 

Ans.  To  preach  Christ  crucified  when- 
ever they  can  get  hearers;  to  form  classes; 
to  converse  with  the  members  on  the  spir- 
itual condition  of  their  souls;  to  adminis- 
ter relief;  to  strengthen  and  direct  those 
that  are  afflicted  and  labor  under  tempta- 
tions; to  animate  the  indolent;  to  endeav- 
or as  much  as  possible  to  edify  and  instruct 
all  in  faith,  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus  Christ;  to  visit  the  sick  on  all 
occasions;  to  strive  to  enforce  and  con- 
firm the  doctrines  they  deliver  by  a  well 
ordered  and  exemplary  life. 

Ques.  What  are  the  directions  given 
to  our  preachers  ? 

Alls.  1.  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle 
4 


oO  UNITED  BRETHREN 

away  your  time;  always  be  serious.  Let 
your  motto  be  'HOLINESS  UNTO  THE 
LORD  !"  Avoid  all  lightness  and  jesting; 
converse  sparingly;  conduct  yourself  pru- 
dently with  women;  and  demean  yourself 
in  all  respects  as  a  true  christian. 

Be  at  all  times  averse  to  crediting  evil 
reports;  believe  evil  of  no  one  without 
tcood  evidence.  Put  the  best  construc- 
tion on  everything. 

2.  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  Whatever 
may  be  your  thoughts,  keep  them  wiihin 
your  own  breast  till  you  can  tell  the  per- 
son concerned  what  you  think  wrong  in 
his  conduct. 

8.  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as 
many  souls  as  possible.  To  this  employ- 
ment give  yourself  up  wholly.  Visit 
those  who  need  it;  and  act  in  all  things, 
not  according  to  your  own  wills,  but  as 
sons  in  the  gospel.  For  as  such  it  be- 
comes your  duty  to  employ  your  time  in 
the  manner  pTescribed,  in  preaching  and 
visitino;  from  house   to  house,   in  instruc- 


DISCIPLINE.  51 

lion  and  prayer,  and  in  meditating  on  the 
word  of  God.  With  these  be  occupied 
until  our  Lord  cometh. 

No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  form  a 
mission  or  circuit  within  the  embrace  of 
any  circuit,  or  presiding  Elder's  district- 

SECTION  XIV. 

Circuit  Preachers'  Duties. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  a  cir- 
cuit preacher  ? 

Ans.  1.  To  take  the  circuit  assigned 
him  willingly. 

2.  To  attend  the  appointments  on  his 
circuit  regularly;  preach  to  the  people; 
and  hold  society  meetings. 

3.  The  preacher  in  charge  is  to  see 
that  there  are  suitable  persons  elected  in 
each  class  as  stewards,  leader  or  leaders. 

4.  To  read  the  following  three  sec- 
lions  of  our  discipline  every  six  months, 
in  each  class,  viz  : —  The  Confession  of 
Faith — of  Members  in  General — Classes, 


52  UNITED    BRETHREN 

5.  To  sit  as  president  on  the  trial  of 
members,  and  see  that  a  correct  accomit 
of  the  same  is  kept. 

6.  To  render  a  strict  account  of  the 
condition  of  his  circuit  to  each  quarterly- 
Conference,  where  he  is  to  be  held  ac- 
countable for  the  neglect  of  any  regular 
appointment  on  his  circuit. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every 
laudable  effort  to  circulate  our  books  and 
church  periodicals — collect  funds  due  the 
Telescope  office,  and  use  due  diligence  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  Conference 
Printing  Establishment. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  list  of 
all  the  subscribers  to  our  church  organs 
at  the  different  appointments  on  his  cir- 
cuit, and  hand  it  over  to  his  successor  at 
the  Annual  Conference. 

9.  No  preacher  shall  dismiss  any  ap- 
pointment from  his  circuit  without  the 
consent  of  Quarterly  Conference. 

10.  To  make  out  a  list  of  all  the  ap- 


DISCIPLINE.  o3 

I 

pointments  on  his   circuit,  and  present  it  i 
to  the   Presiding  Elder  at  each    Annual  I 
Conference,    for  the  convenience   of  his 
successor. 

11.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preach- 
ers in  charge  of  circuits   and   stations  to  \ 
lift  a  collection  annually  at  each  of  their  j 
preaching  places  for  the  support  of  their  \ 
Bishops. 

It  shall    be  the  duty  of  all  stationed 
preachers  to  visit  every  family  under  their  ^ 
care,  ai  least  once  every  quarter,  and  pay  i 
strict  attention  to  the  young  members  of  j 
their  charge. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  circuit  preach-  i 
ers  to  visit  as  much  as  possible.  \ 

Resolved,  that  each   preacher,  whether 
local  or  itinerant,  make  use  of  every  laud-  ; 
able  effort  to   enlarge   the  borders  of  our  1 
Zion,    in     spreading    scriptural   holiness  : 
over  these  lands,  and  report  to  their  res- 
pective annual  Conferences  the   number 
of  new  appointments  obtained. 


M  UNITED  BRETHREN 

SECTION     XV. 

Election  of  Elders. 

Ques.     How  is  an  Elder  constituted  ? 

Ans.  After  a  probation  of  three  years, 
a  preacher  may  be  presented  to  the  yearly 
Conference  for  consideration;  whereupon 
the  Bishop  shall  propose  to  conference 
the  following  questions  : 

Ques.  I.  Is  he  blameless  touching  the 
marriage  state? 

2.  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social  cir- 
cle marked  with  watchful  sobriety  ? 

3.  Is  he  hospitable  towards  tlie  afflic- 
ted and  needy  ? 

4.  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  minis- 
tration of  God's  word  ? 

5.  Is  his  household  subject  to  rules  of 
piety  ? 

Should  the  above  question.^  be  answer- 
ed in  the  affirmative,  a  committee  of  three 
or  five  elders  fhaU  be  appointed,  before 
whom  the  candidates  shall  each  appear, 
and  speak  uninterruptedly  in  answer  to 
the  following  questions,  viz  ; 


'  i     ,   DlSClTLIiNK.  OO     j 

Qucx.   .1.     Upon  what  foundalioii  tlo 
you  beli^T*  the  Bililo  to  be  the  woal:  ol 

Go<i?  ;| 

2.  Ho\^lo  you  prove  the  iall  of  iraii 
by  transgression  ? 

3.  Plow  do  you  prove  the  redemption 
of  man  by   Jesus  Christ  ?  i 

4.  Do  you  believe  in  the  God-head  o(  , 
Jesus  CJirist  ?       ■♦ 

5.  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  \ 
a  belief?  j 

6.  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost 
as  presented  in  our  Confession  of  Faith? 

7.  Upon  what  evidence  do  you  believe  ^ 
this? 

S.  Do  you  believe  in  future  cverlast-  i 
ing  punishment  ? 

"O.  What  is  the  Biography  of  the  Bible? 

10  Name  at  least  one  of  the  Patri-  ' 
archs,  and  tell  some  circumstance  which  J 
occurred  in  his  life  ?  I 

11.   In  what  Division  of  the  earth  wa^^ 
ihc  Bible  primarily  written  ?  ^ 


56  UNITED      BRETHREN 

12.  What  great  occurrence  is  the  first 
subject  of  Bible  history. 

13.  Of  what  nation  does  the  Bible 
give  the  most  particular  history  ? 

14.  What  is  signified  by  the  chronol- 
ogy of  the  Bible  ? 

It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  commit- 
tee in  the  close,  to  propose  any  question 
touching  the  answers  given,  wherein  their 
understanding  may  not  have  been  distinct. 
It  shall  also  be  their  duty  to  make  out, 
sign  and  deliver  to  Conference  a  repoit  of 
each  case  which  may  have  been  before 
them.  Whereupon,  by  a  majority  of  the 
votes  of  the  Elders  of  Conference,  said 
candidates  may  be  elected  to  ordination. 
All  ordained  ministers  of  other  denomi- 
nations, who  may  join  our  church  as  such, 
must  pass  the  above  examination,  but  they 
may  be  exempt  from  the  laying  on  of 
hands.  Yet  circumstances  demanding  it, 
a  licentiate  may  be  presented  to  Confer- 
ence for  ordination,  at  any  time  prior  to 
a  probation  of  three  years;  provided  two- 


DISCIPLINE.  57 

thirds  of  llie  Elders  present   vote  for  the 
same. 

SECTION    XVI. 

Elders'  Duties. 

It  is  the  duty  of  an  Elder  to  preach  as 
often  as  he  can,  to  baptize,  to  administer 
the  Lord's  supper,  solemnize  marriages, 
to  perform  all  parts  cf  divine  service,  to 
be  an  example  lo  the  flock  of  Christ,  by- 
imitating  his  moral  example;  and  in  a  ve- 
ry special  manner  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
an  Elder  to  cherish  and  encourage  young 
ministers,  and  always  to  be  looking  for 
those  whom  God  hath  called  to  preach, 
and  advise  them  to  take  up  the  cross,  and 
begin  the  work  without  delay,  that  the  la- 
bor of  this  gospel  harvest  may  be  faith- 
fully performed. 

SECTION    XVII. 

Ordination  of  Elders. 

1.     On  the   day   appointed  there  shall 


58  UNITED    BKETIIREN 

be  a  suitable  sermon  or  exhortation  deiiv- 
eretl. 

11.  After  their  names  have  been  read 
aloud,  the  Bishop  or  Elder  shall  read  the 
following  articles  to  all  who  may  be  cho- 
sen for  ordination  : 

"An  Elder  must  be  blameless  as  the 
steward  of  God,  not  self-willed,  not  soon 
angry,  rot  given  to  wine;  no  striker,  not 
given  to  filthy  lucre;  bui  a  lover  of  hos- 
pitality, a  lover  of  good  men,  sober,  just, 
holy,  temperate;  holding  fast  the  faithful 
word  as  he  hath  been  taught,  that  he  may 
be  able,  by  sound  doctrine,  both  to  exhort 
and  convince  the  gainsayers." — Tit.  i,  V-9. 

Ques.  Do  you  trust  that  you  are  in- 
wardly moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  take 
upon  you  the  office  of  the  ministry,  to 
serve  God  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name  ? 

Ans.     I  trust  I  am. 

Ques.  Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, Old  and  New  Testament  ? 

Ans.     I  do  believe  them. 


DISCIPLINE.  59 

Qjies.  Will  you  apply  all  your  iliJi- 
gence  to  frame  and  fashion  your  life  ac- 
cording to  the  doctrines  of  Christ;  and  to 
make  yourself,  as  much  as  in  you  lieth,  a 
wholesome  example  of  the  Hock  of  Christ? 

Ans.    1  A\ill,  the  Lord  being  my  helper. 

Ques.  Will  you  obey  them  to  whom 
the  charge  and  government  over  you  is 
committed,  and  follow  their  godly  admo- 
nitions with  a  willing  and  ready  mind  ? 

Ans.  I  will  endeavor  through  the  grace 
of  God  to  do  so. 

Then  Prayer  is  to  he  offered. 

[After  prayer  the  Bishop  and  Elders 
shall  lay  their  hands  upon  the  heads  of 
every  one  of  them,  and  say  :] 

"Take  tliou  authority  to  execute  the  of- 
fice of  an  Elder  in  tlie  church  of  God,  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  :  Amen." 

[Hereupon  the  Bishop  or  Elder  shall 
deliver  to  every  one  of  them  tlie  Holy  Bi- 
ble, saying  :] 

"  Take    thou    authority    to    read    and 


00  UNITED  BRETHREN 

preach  the  word  of  God  in  the  church  of 
Christ." 

[Then  the  Bishop  or  Elder  shall  pray. 
And  after  prayer  he  shall  read  from  Lvike, 
xii,  35-38:]  "Let  your  loins  be  girded 
about,  and  your  lights  burning,  and  ye 
yourselves  like  unto  men  that  wait  for 
their  Lord,  when  he  shall  return  from  the 
wedding;  that  when  he  cometh  and  knock- 
eth,  they  may  open  unto  him  immediately. 
Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the  Lord 
when  he  cometh,  shall  find  watching. — 
Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  shall  gird 
himself,  and  make  them  sit  down  to  meat, 
and  will  come  forth  and  serve  them.  And 
if  he  shall  come  in  the  second  wrtch,  or 
come  in  the  third  watch,  and  find  them  so, 
blessed  are  those  servants." 

[After  this  the  following  benediction  is 
to  be  pronounced  :] 

The  peace  of  God  keep  your  hearts  an  d 
minds  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ 
ovr  Lord.     Amen. 


DlSCifLlNE.  Oi 

SECTION     XVllI. 

Presiding  Elders. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  a  Presi- 
ding Elder  ? 

.4715.  1.  To  travel  through  the  district 
appointed  him,  and  to  preach  as  often  as 
he  can. 

2.  He  is  to  take  charge  of  the  preach- 
ers in  his  district ;  and  to  see  that  they 
conduct  themselves  as  becometh  the  gos- 
pel. 

3.  He  shall  appoint  tlie  quarterly  and 
camp-meetings,  and  attend  them.  He 
shall  hold  quarterly  conferences  with  the 
preachers,  exhorters,  leaders,  stewards, 
and  trustees,  and  administer  the  ordinan- 
ces of  God's  house.  He  shall  inquire 
and  examine  whether  the  preachers  do 
their  duty,  preach  every  Sabbath;  and  ex- 
hort them  to  maintain  discipline  and  or- 
der, love  and  seriousness  in  the  society. 

4.  He  can  also,  in  conjunction  with 
two  elders,  preachers,  exhorters  or  lead- 


62  UNITED    BRETHHEN 

•ers,  [one  from  each  circuit,]   change    the 
preachers  in  his  district. 

5.  Shoukl  any  district  happen  to  be 
without  a  presiding  Elder,  information 
shall  immediately  be  given  to  a  Bishop, 
who  shall  appoint  an  Elder  to  preside  in 
said  district  until  the  ensuing  Annual  Con- 
ference. 

SECTION  XIX. 

Bishops— Election  and  Duties. 

Ques.  How  are  the  Bishops  to  be 
elected  ? 

Ans.  The  General  Conference  shall 
elect  them  by  a  majority  of  votes;  yet  the 
Conference  may,  at  their  option,  retain 
the  former  Bishops  four  years  longer. 
The  newly  elected,  however,  as  well  as 
those  retained,  must  be  capable  of  attend- 
ing the  Conferences  appointed  them:  oth- 
erwise they  cannot  be  elected. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  Bishops? 

Ans.  1.  To  preside  over  the  Annual 
and  General  Conferences. 


DISCIPLINE.  on 

2.  In  conjunction  with  the  Presiding 
Elders  of  the  past  and  present  years,  to- 
gether with  an  equal  number  of  elders  or 
preachers,  they  are  to  fix  tlie  appoint- 
ments of  the  traveling  preachers  for  the 
several  circuits,  stations  and  missions: 
Provided  that  they  do  not  allow  any  itin- 
erant preacher  to  remain  in  the  same  sta- 
tion or  circuit  more  than  three  consecutive 
years,  unless  particular  circumstances  re- 
quire it,  and  then  only  with  consent  of 
the  conference. 

3.  The  Bishops  in  conjunction  with 
two  Elders  appointed  by  Conference, 
shall  point  out  the  districts  which  are  to 
be  traveled  by  the  Presiding  Elders. 

4.  It  is  incumbent  on  them  to  perform 
the  rites  of  ordination. 

5.  When  a  Bishop  neglects  his  duty, 
unless  through  unavoidable  circumstan- 
ces, he  cannot  be  suffered  to  retain  his 
office. 

6.  \(  our  church  should  at  any  time 
be  destitute  of  a  Bishop,  a  Bishop  p7-o  tern 


t)4  UNITED    BRETHREN 

shall  be  elected  from  among  the  Elders  at 
each  Annual  Conference.  Each  Bishop 
pro  tern  shall  attend  the  next  succeeding 
Conference,  in  conjunction  with  the  Bish- 
op pro  tern  there  elected;  that  a  regular 
Correspondence  be  maintained  until  the 
ensuing  General  Conference. 

v.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Bishops 
to  see  that  a  suitable  sermon  be  delivered 
to  the  preachers  present  at  each  Annual 
Conference. 

SECTION    XX. 

Immoral  Conduct  of  Preachers. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  an 
Elder  or  Preacher  is  reported  guilty  of 
immorality  ? 

Ans.  When  an  Elder  or  Preacher  is 
charged  with  immoral  conduct,  the  preach- 
er to  whom  it  is  known,  shall  take  with 
him  another  preacher,  exhorter,  or  leader, 
and  examine  into  the  charge;  but  as  the 
apostle  saith,  1  Timothy,  5  chap,  19  verse, 
•'Receive  not  an  accusation  against  an  El- 


DISCIPLINE.  65 

del",  but  before  two  or  three  witnesses. — 
Should  it  appear  he  is  justly  accused,  no- 
tice thereof  shall  be  given  him,  and  a  time 
and  place  appointed  where  the  accusers 
and  the  accused  shall  meet.  Then  three 
Elders,  or  one  Elder  and  two  Preachers 
shall  try  his  case,  which  are  to  be  appointed 
by  the  parties  concerned,  each  party  ap- 
pointing one,  and  the  two  a  third  ;  should 
they  be  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sus- 
tained, then  the  accused  shall  hold  his 
peace  till  the  An.  Con.  where  he  shall  be 
accountable.  But  if  the  Elder  be  a  Bish- 
op, he  shall  be  tried  by  that  Annual  Con- 
ference within  whose  bounds  the  cause  of 
accusation  occurred.  But  should  suffi- 
cient satisfaction  be  given  by  an  expres- 
sion of  repentance,  or  otherwise,  he  may 
be  retained.  But  should  the  accused 
Preacher,  Elder,  or  Bishop,  refuse  to  at- 
tend, after  having  been  notified  of  the 
time  and  place  of  trial,  he  shall  be  sus- 
pended ;  and  the  committee  shall  notify 
him  to  appear  at  the  next  Quarterly  or  An- 
5 


66  UNITED  BRETHREN 

nual  Conference,  to  answer  to  the  charg- 
es preferred  against  him  ;  and  if  he  fail  to 
attend,  [unavoidable  circumstances  ex- 
cepted,] he  shall  be  suspended,  or  expell- 
ed, as  Conference  may  think  proper. 

Note. — When  a  Preacher  or  Elder  is  expell- 
ed from  one  Annual  Conference,  he  shall  not 
be  received  into  another  Conference  without; 
the  consent  of  the  Conference  from  which  he 
was  .expelled. 

SECTION     XXI, 

Preachers'  Salaries, 

1.  The  annual  allowance  of  a  travel- 
ing Bishop  or  Preacher,  if  he  has  no  fam- 
ily, shall  be  one  hundred  dollars  and  his 
traveling  expenses;  if  he  has  a  family,  it 
shall  be  two  hundred  dollars,  his  travel- 
ing expenses,  and  house  rent,  not  exceed- 
ing forty  dollars. 

2.  When  a  traveling  preacher  has  a 
family  of  children,  the  quarterly  Confer- 
ence of  his  circuit,  is,  in  that  case  to 
grant  him  such  an  allowance,   in  addl- 


mSCIPLINE.  <JT 

tiorl  to  that  above  stated,  as,  in  their  judg- 
ment, will  supply  the  wants  of  his  fam- 
ily. 

S.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit  or 
station,  when  a  preacher  is  sent  to  them 
by  Annual  Conference  to  move  said 
preacher  on  such  circuit  or  station,  at 
their  own  expense. 

Qiies.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
needy,  superannuated,  or  worn  out  trav- 
eling preachers,  and  their  widows  and 
orphans. 

Alts.  The  dividend  falling  to  the  dif- 
ferent Conferences  from  the  Benevolent 
Fund,  shall  be  appropriated  to  their  sup- 
port ;  provided  it  be  strictly  observed  that 
the  Benevolent  Fund  money  shall  not  be 
appropriated  to  any  other  purpose. 

If  there  are  no  such  claimants  as  spe- 
cified above,  it  shall  be  retained  by  the 
Conference  from  year  to  year,  until  such 
cases  occur.  And  in  case  the  Annual 
Conference,  shall,  upon  evidence  received, 
be  satisfied   there  are  such  claimants,  it 


68  UNITED  BRETHREN 

^^hall  be  ihe  duty  of  Conference  to  ap- 
point a  committee,  one  of  whom  shall  be 
a  Bishop,  to  divide  said  fund;  Provided, 
however,  that  a  superannuated  preacher 
shall  be  allowed  no  more  annually  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  if  married, 
and  no  more  than  seventy-five  dollars  if 
unmarried;  widows  no  more  annually  than 
seventy-five  dollars;  and  an  orphan  no 
more  than  twenty,  while  under  twelve 
years  of  age. 

The  preachers  shall  account  to  the  An- 
nual Conference  for  all  presents  received. 

SECTION     XXII. 

Constitution 

Of  the  Society  formed  for  the  support  and  relief 
of  ihe  traveling  or  superannuated  and  in  ihe 
service  of  the  gospel  worn  out  Preachers  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

ARTICLE  I. 
Thissocietv  is  to  he  known  by  and  bear  the  name 
of  "THE  BENEVOLENT  SOCIETY   OF  THE   UNI- 
TED BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST." 
ARTICLE  II. 
Section  1.    The  funds  of  this  society  and  all  other 
concerns,  are  to  be  directed  and  managed  by  a  board 


DISCIPLINE.  69 


of  seven  Trustees,  a  majority  of  whom  is  to  consti- 
tute a  quorum  to  transact  the  business  entrusted  to 
them. 

Sec.  2.  The  first  trustees  are  to  be  appointed  by 
the  present  Annual  Couterence  and  hold  their  ap- 
pointment until  iheir  successors  are  appointed  by  the 
next  General  Conference,  who  shall  appoint  the 
Trustees  for  this  society,  at  eacli  succeeding  Gene- 
ral Conference  for  four  years. 

Sec.  3.  In  case  of  death,  resignation,  or  expulsion 
of  any  member  of  the  hoard  of  Trustees,  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  board  shall  notify  and  call  a  meeting  of 
the  members  of  the  board,  where  they  shall  fill  the 
vacancy  by  electing  another  member  from  the  sub- 
scribers. 

Sec.  4.  The  Trustees  shall  elect  a  President  out  of 
their  own  body,  Avho  shall  preside  and  have  a  casting 
vote  in  all  their  proceedinjis,  sign  in  the  name  of  the 
President  and  Trcstels  of  the  Benevolent  Society 
of  the  United  Brethken  in  Christ,  all  contracts, 
deeds,  leases,  &c.  in  behalf  of  the  socity. 

Sec.  .=3.  The  Trustees  shall  appoint  a  Treasurer, 
who  shall  give  bond  and  securities  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  his  trust. 

Sec,  G.  All  monies  on  account  of  subscriptions  do- 
nations or  otherwise,  sliall  be  ]jaidover  to  the  Treas- 
urer, and  by  him  invested  in  such  funds,  and  appro- 
priated to  such  purpose,  as  the  board  of  Trustees  shall 
from  time  to  direct. 

Sec.  7.  A  correct  account  of  aW  receipts  and  e.v- 
penditures  is  to  be  kept  by  the  Treasurer,  and  annu- 
ally transmitted  to  the  annual  conference,  and  every 
four  years  to  the  general  conference. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Sec.  ].  Every  member  of  this  society  shall  pay 
annually  One  Dollar  on  or  before  the  first  day  of 
March  in  every  year  to  the  fund  of  this  society. 


UNITED   BRETHREN 


Sec.  2.  Every  person  who  subscribes  and  pays 
T£u  Dollars,  shall  be  a  member  for  life,  without  any 
further  contribution. 

Sec.  3    If  any  member  neglects  or  refuses  to  pay  for 
three  successive  years  his  annual  subscription,  he  by 
so  doing  excludes  himself  of  his  membership. 
ARTICLE   IV. 

Sec.  1.  The  funds  of  the  society  received  by  sub- 
scription, donation  or  otherwise,  shall,  by  the  direc- 
tion of  the  board  of  Trustees,  be  invested  in  such 
manner,  as  shall  appear  to  them  the  most  safe  and 
productive. 

Sec.  2.  The  funds  shall  be  kept  s.\cred  until  the 
capital  shall  amount  to  twenty  thousand  dollars,  and 
on  no  account  whatever  shall  the  board  of  Trustees  ap- 
propriate any  part  of  the  capital  fund  before  this  time. 

Sec.  3.  The  board  of  Tiustces  shall  annually  direct 
their  Treasurer,  to  pay  over  to  the  annual  conferences, 
such  sums  (aft£r  the  necessary  e.vpence.s  incurred)  as 
may  have  occurred  by  interest  or  revenue  on  the  cap- 
ital fund. 

Sec.  4.  The  annual  conferences  shall  distribute  such 
sums,  as  may  appear  to  them  most  proper  and  ben- 
eficial. 

.-ARTICLE  V. 

Sec.  1.  The  board  of  Trustees  shall  have  the  pow- 
er to  locate  the  place,  and  appoint  the  time  of  their 
meeting. 

Sec.  2-  They  shall  have  the  power  to  make  by- 
laws, and  adopt  such  other  rules  and  regulations,  as 
may  appear  necessary  to  the  welfare  of  the  society, 
provided  such  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations  are  not 
contrary  to  this  constitution. 

Sec.  3,    They  also  have  power  to   adopt  and  us«  a 
common  seal  in  behalf  of  the  society. 
ARTICLE  YI. 

The  general  conference  shall  have  power  to  alter 
/kSD    AMEXD  thi.s   conelitiiticn,  provided  iwoiliirds 


DIBCIPLINE.  ^t 


of  the  members  of  their  body  agree  to  such  amend- 
ment or  alteration,  and  the  names  of  the  veas  and 
NOES  are  entered  in  their  portocoll. 

The  above  constitution  has  been  adopted  and  ratifi- 
ed by  the  United  Brethren  in  conference  assembled. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  Trustees  un- 
til the  next  general  conference. 

John  Cronise,  Valentive  Daub,  A.  Newcomer, 
Geo.  Martini,  Jacob  Wengcr,  Jacob  Brazer, 

Sam'l  Huber.  April  11,    18^22. 


Resolved,  1.  That  the  Presiding  Elders  of  the  sev- 
eral conferences,  furnish  each  preacher  in  charge  with 
a  list  of  all  the  names  of  all  the  members  of  the  Be- 
nevolent fund  society  ou  their  respective  circuits. 

Resolved,  -2.  That  the  preachers  make  every  prac- 
tical effort  to  procure  subscriptions^ 

Resolved,  3.  That  each  preacher  in  charge,  collect 
the  cEOii^y  due  the  Benevolent  fund  society  on  his 
circuit,  s.tatiou  or  niission,  principal  or  interest,  as 
the  case  may  be,  and  pay  it  over  to  tike  conference 
Treasurer,  ou  or  before  the  first  day  of  November,  or 
sooner  if  practicable,  annually. 

Resolved,  4.  That  each  conference  appoint  a  con- 
ference Treasurer,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  report  to 
the  Treasurer  of  the  fund  society  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  December.  {^5=The  Western  conference 
Treasurer  shall  report  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Scioto 
Conference, 

Resolved,  5,  TheTreasurer  of  the  Scioto  conference 
shall  report  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Parent  society,  on 
or  before  the  twenty-fifth  of  December,  so  that  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Parent  society,  at  Hagerstown,  Md., 
may  be  enabled  to  report  through  the  Telescope,  on 
or  before  the  16th  day  of  January,  in  each  year. 

Resolved,  0.  That  should  no  report  be  received  from 
any  annual  conference  by  the  Treasurer  of  the  Parent 
society,  according  to  the  preceeding  resolutions,  then 


<J  UNITED    BRETHREN 

and  in  that  case,  the  Treasurer  of  the  Parent  society 
shall  retain  such  dividend,  until  a  report  be  received: 
but  should  such  a  conlerenne  fail  a  second  time  to  re- 
port according  to  the  above  rules,  then  such  ccnftr- 
ence  shall  forfeit  its  dividend  for  the  two  years  tlien 
passed,  and  such  dividend  revert  to  the  general  funds 
of  the  society.— May,  1849. 

SECTION  XXIII. 

Marriage   Ceremony. 

ADLRESS. 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the  sight 
of  God,  and  in  the  presence  of  these  wit- 
nesses, to  join  together  N.  and  M.  as 
husband  and  wife.  If  any  person  pres- 
ent knows  any  just  cause  or  impediment 
why  these  persons  should  not  he  joined 
in  marriage,  let  the  same  now  speak  or 
forever  after  keep  silent. 

[If  no  impediment  be  alleged,  then 
shall  the  minister  say  unto  the  n}an  :] 

"N.,  wilt  thou  have  this  woman  to  be 
thy  wedded  wife,  to  live  together  after 
God's  ordinance?  Wilt  thou  love,  hon- 
or, and  comfort  her  in  sickness  and  in 
health,  in  prosperity  and  adversity;  and 
forsaking  all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto 


DISCIPLINF.  1Z 

her  so  long  as  ye  both  shall  live  ?  If  so, 
then  answer,  'I  will'" 

[Then  shall  the  minister  say  to  the  wo- 
man :  ] 

"M.,  wilt  thou  have  this  man  to  be  thy 
wedded  husband,  to  live  together  after 
God's  ordinance  ?  Wilt  thou  love,  honor 
and  obey  him,  in  sickness  and  in  health, 
in  prosperity  and  adversity  ;  and,  forsa- 
king all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto  him 
so  long  as  you  both  shall  live  ?  If  so, 
then  answer,    'I  will.'  " 

[Then  the  minister  shall  require  them 
to  join  their  right  hands,  and  say  :  ] 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together 
let  no  man  put  asunder. 

Inasmuch  as  N.  and  M.  have  consent- 
ed together  in  marriage,  and  have  witness- 
ed the  same  before  God  and  these  wit- 
nesses, I  pronounce  them  husband  and 
wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost:  Amen. 

Qnes.  Who  of  our  ministers  are  per- 
mitted to  solemnise  marriaue  ? 


74 


r.VITED  BRETHREJf 


A71S.  All  ordained  ministers,  and  also 
those  that  have  obtained  license  from  an 
Annual  Conference,  where  the  law  of  the 
State  makes  it  the  privilege  of  every  reg- 
ularly licensed  minister  to  solemnize  mar- 
riage, and  none  are  permitted  to  solem- 
nize marriage  with  Quarterly  Conference 
license. 

SECTION    XXIV. 

Necessity  of  Union  Among  Ourselves. 

Let  us  be  deeply  sensible  (from  what 
we  have  known,)  of  the  evil  of  a  division 
in  principle,  spirit  or  practice,  and  of  the 
dreadful  consequences  to  ourselves  and 
others.  If  we  are  united  what  can  stand 
before  us  ?  If  we  are  divided,  we  shall 
injure  ourselves,  the  work  o[  God,  and 
the  souls  of  our  people. 

What  can  be  done  in  order  to  a  closer 
union  with  each  other  ? 

1.  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of  the 
absolute  nece^.sity  of  it. 


DISCfPLINE.  75 

2.  Pray  earnestly  for,  and  speak  truly 
and  freely  to  each  other. 

3.  When  we  meet  let  us  never  part 
without  prayer- 

4.  Take  great  care  not  to  despise  each 
other's  gifts. 

5.  Never  speak  lightly  of  each  other. 

6.  Let  us  defend  each  other's  charac- 
ter in  every  thing,  so  far  as  is  consistent 
with  truth. 

7.  Labor  in  honor,  each  preferring 
another  bel'ore  himself. 

8.  We  recommend  a  serious  exami- 
nation of  the  causes,  evils  and  cures  of 
heart  and  church  divisions. 

SECTION  XXV. 

Visiting  from  House  to  House,  and  En- 
forcing Practical  Religion. 

Qiies.  How  can  we  further  assist  those 
under  our  care  ? 

Ans.  1.  By  instructing  them  at  their 
own  houses,  which   is   necessary  to  pro- 


TG  UNITED      BRETHREN 

mote  confidence  and  communion  with 
God  among  us,  to  wean  us  from  the  love 
of  the  w^orld,  and  to  inure  us  to  a  life  of 
heavenly  mindedness;  also,  to  encourage 
us  to  strive  after  and  practice  brotherly- 
love,  that  no  evil  thinking  or  judging  of 
one  another  be  found  among  us;  and 
lastly,  that  we  may  learn  to  do  as  we 
would  wish  to  be  done  by. 

2.  Every  preacher  should  make  it  his 
duty  to  instruct  the  people  on  every  occa- 
sion, both  public  and  private;  and  exhort 
them  to  be  diligent  in  all  good  works  and 
doctrine.  Until  this  be  done,  and  that  in 
sincerity,  we  shall,  upon  the  whole,  be  of 
but  little  use,  and  our  good  shall  be  evil 
spoken  of;  therefore,  wherever  we  may 
be,  we  should  guard  against  useless  and 
idle  conversation. 

Undoubtedly  this  private  application  of 
visiting  from  house  to  house,  and  exhort- 
ing the  people,  is  found  or  implied  in  these 
solemn  words  of  the  Apostle  : 


DISCIPLINE.  '  77 

"1  charge  thee,  therefore,  before  God, 
and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 
judge  the  quick  and  the  dead  at  his  ap- 
pearing, and  his  kingdom  ;  preach  the 
word  ;  be  instant  in  season,  out  of  sea- 
son ;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all 
long  suffering  and  doctrine. "-2  Timothy, 
4:1,2. 

SECTION    XXVI. 

Instruction  of  Children. 

What  shall  be  done  to  benefit  the  rising 
generation  ? 

Let  him  who  is  in  any  way  zealous  for 
God,  and  the  souls  of  men,  begin  the  work 
without  delay.  Wherever  children  are 
found,  meet  them  as  often  as  possible ; 
speak  freely  with  them,  and  instruct  them 
diligently ;  exhort  them  to  be  good,  and 
pray  with  them,  earnestly,  yet  simply  and 
plainly,  that  they  may  learn  to  know 
their  Creator  and  Redeemer  in  the  days 
of  their  youth. 


1&  imitED     BRETHflEf? 

•■ 
SECTION    XXVII. 

Sabbath  Schools, 

Whereas,  the  Sabbath  school  institu- 
Viort  is  in  every  way  worthy  ouv  highest 
regard  and  untiring  efforts  to  promote  as  a 
branch  of  the  christian  church, 

Resolved,  therefore,  that  we  labor  to 
have  Sabbath  schools  organized  through' 
Cfut  the  cht^rch. 

Resolved,  That  all  our  njinisters,  both 
Itinerant  and  otherwise,  do  all  consistent- 
ly in  their  power  to  organize  Sabbath 
Schools  in  our  sijcieties  -wherever  practi-^ 
cable. 

Resolved,  That  our  Printing  Establish- 
ment furnish  the  Church  as  soon  as  prac- 
licable,  with  baoks  of  suitable  character 
for  Sabbath  Schools;  meanwhile  we  will 
get  books  whencesoever  we  see  proper. — ' 
May,  1849. 

SECTION    XXVIII/ 

Doctrinal    Publicationg. 

Ko   one  of  our   preachers    or   iayraen 


shall  become  the  Author  of  any  doctrinal 
book  or  pamphlet,  in  a  printed  fornif 
without  the  approbation  of  the  Annual 
Conference,  or  of  a  committee  chosen  by 
the  same.  And  if  any  preacher  or  lay- 
man violates  this  rule,  he  shall  be  ac 
countable  to  the  class,  or  to  the  Quarterly 
or  Annual  Conference,  as  the  case  may 
be, 

SECTION     XXIX. 

Oaths. 

We  believe  that  the  mode  of  te-stif^ir^g 
to  the  truth  when  required  so  fo  do,  in  ^ 
legal  form,  by  M'ay  of  affirmation,  is  on 
tis  solemnly,  conscientiously,  and  fully 
binding  before  God  to  tell  the  truth,  the 
whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.- 

SECTION    XXX. 

Ardent  Spirits. 

The  distilling,  vending,  and  use   of  ar' 

dent  spirits  as   a  beverage,  shall    and  is 

hereby  forbidden  throughout  our  society^ 

and  should  any  preacher,  exhorter,  lead- 


80  UNITED  BRETHREN 

er,  or  layman,  be  engaged  in  distilling, 
vending,  or  using  ardent  spirits  as  a  beve- 
rage, he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  class, 
the  quarterly  or  Annual  Conference  to 
which  he  belongs.  If  the  offending  broth- 
er be  an  exhorter,  leader  or  layman,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge 
to  admonish  him  in  meekness.  U  he  be 
a  preacher,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
presiding  officer  of  a  quarterly  or  Annual 
Conference  to  admonish  him  to  desist 
from  his  unholy  employment,  or  habit. 
And  if  all  friendly  admonitions  fail,  such 
offending  person  or  persons  shall  no  lon- 
ger be  considered  members  of  our  church, 
but  shall  be  expelled  from  the  same  ;  pro- 
vided however  that  this  rule  shall  not  be 
so  construed  as  to  prevent  druggists  and 
others,  from  vending  or  using  it  for  medic- 
inal or  mechanical  purposes. 

SECTION    XXXI. 

Free    Masonry. 

\     Free  Masonry  in   every   sense    of  the 


DISCIPLINE.  81 

word  shall  be  totally  prohibited,  and  there 
shall  be  no  connection  with  secret  com- 
binations, (a  secret  society  is  o?ie  ivhose 
initiatory  ceremony  or  bond  of  union  is 
a  secret)  and  any  member  found  connec- 
ted with  such  a  society  shall  be  affection- 
ately admonished,  twice  or  thrice,  by  the 
preacher  in  charge  ;  and  if  such  member 
does  not  desist  in  a  reasonable  time,  he 
shall  be  notified  to  appear  before  the  tri- 
bunal to  which  he  is  amenable,  and  if  he 
still  refuses  to  desist,  shall  be  expelled 
from  the  church. 

SECTI0^^    XXXII. 

Slavery. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word, 
is  totally  prohibited,  and  shall  in  no  way 
be  tolerated  in  our  church.  Should  any 
be  found  in  our  society,  who  hold  slaves, 
they  cannot  continue  as  members  unless 
they  do  personally  manmiiit  or  set  free 
such  slaves. 

And  when  it  is  known  to  any  of  our 
ministers  in  charge  of  a  circuit,  statiou 
6 


52  UNITED      BRETHREff 

or  mission,  that  any  of  its  members  hold 
a  slave  or  slaves,  he  shall  admonish  such 
members  to  manmiiitsuch  slave  or  slaves; 
and  if  such  persons  do  not  take  meas- 
ures to  carry  out  the  discipline,  they  shall 
be  expelled  by  the  proper  authorities  of 
the  church;  and  any  minister  refusing  to 
attend  to  the  duties  above  described  shall 
be  dealt  with  by  the  authorities  to  which 
he  is  amenable. 

StCTlON      XXXIIl. 

Rules  and  Regulations  of  our  Printing 
Establishment,  in  Circle ville,  O. 

RULE    I. 

1.  The  above  establishment  shall  be 
called,  "-The  Conference  Printing  Es- 
tablishment  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ:' 

2.  The  legislative  authority,  herein 
granted,  is  vested  in  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  said  church,  whose  duty  it  is  to 
make  or  amend  any  rules,  as  in  their 
judgment  may  seem  expedient. 


3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  General 
Conference  to  elect  three  Trustees  every 
four  years;  and  also  to  employ  an  Editor 
and  Publishing  Agent. 

4.  If  a  vacancy  should  occur  in  the 
Editorial  or  Agency  Department,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Trustees  to  employ 
some  other  suitable  person  or  persons  to 
fill  said  vacancy  until  the  sitting  of  the 
next  General  Conference. 

5.  In  case  a  vacancy  in  the  board  of 
Trustees  should  occur,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  remaining  two  to  appoint  a  third 
person  to  fill  the  vacancy  until  the  sit- 
ting of  the  next  General  Conference. 

6.  The  proceeds  of  said  establishment 
over  and  above  contingent  expenses  shall 
be  applied  to  the  traveling  and  worn  out 
preachers,  and  their  widows  and  orphans, 
to  be  equally  divided  annually  among 
the  different  Annual  Conferences. 

RULE    II. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Trustees 
to  make  settlement  with   the   Publishing 


84  UNITED    BRETHREN 

Agent  and  Editor  every  six  months ;  and 
cause  the  Publishing  Agent  to  make  out 
a  report  to  each  Annual  Conference,  of 
the  Scioto  District;  and  also,  to  make  a 
special  report  to  each  General  conference. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Scioto 
Annual  Conference,  in  the  intervals  of 
the  sessions  of  the  General  Conference, 
to  see  that  the  Editor,  Publishing  Agent 
and  Trustees  discharge  their  official  du- 
ties as  required. 

3.  On  impeachment  of  any  of  the 
above  named  officers,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  above  named  Annual  Conference 
to  examine  into  said  impeachment;  and, 
if  guilty  in  their  opinion,  to  dismiss  them 
and  supply  the  vacancy  until  the  sitting 
of  the  next  General  Conference. 

RULE     III. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Editor 
to  pay  STRICT  attention  to  all  communi- 
cations sent  for  insertion  ;  to  revise  them, 
if  necessary,  and  then  insert  them.  But 
if  he  should  receive  any  which,  in  his 


DISCIPLINE.  88 

opinion,  are  repugnant  to  the  doctrine 
and  rules  of  our  church,  he  shall  present 
them  to  the  Publishing  Agent,  or  to  one 
or  more  of  the  Trustees,  and  if  rejected 
by  them,  they  shall  be  withheld;  other- 
wise, inserted. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Editor 
to  write  editorial  for  each  number  of  the 
paper;  and  to  attend  strictly  to  the  read- 
ing of  proof-sheet,  making  selections,  &:c. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Editor 
to  keep  a  general  oversight  over  the  hands 
of  the  office,  and  see  that  they  do  not 
spend  their  time  in  idleness. 

4.  The  Trustees  shall  have  a  general 
eversight  over  the  Editor  and  Publishing 
Agent,  and  see  that  they  discharge  their 
duty,  and  if  they  do  not,  they  may  be 
suspended  until  the  sitting  of  the  next 
Annual  Conference,  which  shall  deter- 
mine the  matter,  in  which  case  said  Trus- 
tees shall  supply  the  vacancy  for  the  time 
being. 


86  UAITED  BRETHREK 

RULE     IV. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Pub- 
lishing Agent  to  take  charge  of  the  tem- 
poral concerns  of  the  office  ;  to  keep  all 
the  books  pertaining  thereunto  ;  to  fur- 
nish, at  the  direction  of  the  Trustees, 
such  materials  as  may  be  needed  at  all 
times ;  and  to  act  as  General  Book  Agent 
under  the  instruction  of  said  Trustees. 

2.  The  Trustees  shall  have  privilege 
to  make  any  by-lavv's  that  may  seem  ex- 
pedient to  them,  for  the  better  regulation 
of  the  minor  concerns  of  the  office  ;  pro- 
vided they  do  not  violate  any  part  of  the 
foregoing  rules. 

SECTION    XXXIV. 

Book  Agency. 
1.  There  shall  be  one  or  more  book 
agents  appointed  in  each  Annual  Confer- 
ence District,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
take  charge  of  all  books  sent  to  him  by 
the  Publishing  Agent,  and  appertaining 
to  the  Conference  Printing  Establishment, 
in  Circleville,  Ohio. 


DISCIPLINE.  81 

2.  Said  Agent  shall  be  accountable  to 
the  Publishing  Agent  of  said  Establish- 
ment. 

3.  It  shall  be  his  duty,  so  far  as  may 
be  safe  or  expedient,  to  distribute  to  the 
circuit  preachers  for  the  use  of  the  church, 
all  the  books  that  may  be  sent  to  him  by 
the  Publishing  Agent. 

4.  Said  A!]5ent  shall  keep  an  accurate 
account  of  all  the  distributions  of  books, 
and  colleuions  of  moaey,  for,  and  in  be- 
half of  sail  establishment.  If  books  are 
wantel  in  his  district,  he  is  to  notify  the 
Publishing;  Agent  by  letter;  and  each  An- 
nual Conference  shall  be  responsible  for 
all  the  money  or  books  in  the  hands  of  the 
agent  of  its  own  appointing,  and  on  de- 
fault or  neglect  of  duty  on  the  part  of  a 
district  agent,  the  Conference  of  which 
said  agent  is  a  member,  shall  be  consid- 
ered bound  for  any  sum  thus  delinquent, 
with  interest  from  the  time  of  such  default 
or  neglect  of  duty.  Also,  any  district 
agent,  when  succeeded  by  another  in  of- 


88  UNITED    BRETHRElf 

fice,  neglecting  to  transfer  all  books  in 
his  hands  to  his  successor,  and  forward- 
ing a  receipt  therefor,  and  closing  up  his 
own  account  in  some  way  satisfactorily, 
shall  be  considered  as  neglecting  his  duty 
in  the  sense  above  specified.  Said  agent 
shall  receive  a  fair  percentage,  as  fixed 
by  the  Trustees,  for  his  services,  and  be 
held  responsible  for  all  distribution  of 
books  that  he  makes. 

5.  When  a  district  Agent  fails  to  com- 
ply w4th  the  requirements  of  discipline, 
the  Publishing  Agent  shall  inform  the 
Annual  Conference  of  which  he  is  a 
member  or  resident,  of  such  delinquency. 

6.  Said  Agent  shall  make  settlement 
with  the  Publishing  Agent,  by  letter,  or 
otherwise,  every  six  months,  and  present 
to  each  Annual  Conference  to  which  he 
is  accountable,  a  full  and  complete  report 
of  the  true  state  and  condition  of  his 
agency,  to  be  examined  and  acted  upon 
by  Conference, 


DISCIPLINE.  89 

SECTION  XXXV. 

Order  to  be  observed  in  Building  Meet- 
ing Houses. 

Ques.  Is  anythina;  advisable  in  re- 
gard to  the  building  of  Meeting  Houses  ? 

Alls.  Let  all  our  Meeting  Houses  be 
built  plain  and  neat,  with  free  seats,  and 
not  more  expensive  than  necessary. 

Ques.  To  whom  are  our  Meeting 
Houses,  and  the  premises  belonging  to 
them,  to  be  deeded  ? 

Ans.  To  a  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
their  successors  in  office,  in  trust,  as  the 
property  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in   Christ. 

Ques.  How  is  a  Board  of  Trustees  to 
be  constituted  ? 

Ans.  Whenever  it  is  contemplated 
by  a  Society,  to  purchase  or  to  build  a 
Meeting  House,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  a 
leader  or  steward  of  such  Society  to  make 
it  known  to  the  Quarterly  Conference  of 
the    Circuit  or  Station  to  which  he  be- 


90  UNITED      BRETUREN 

longs,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  appoint 
a  judicious  Board  of  Trustees,  of  not  less 
than  three  in  number,  or  as  the  law  of 
the  state,  in  which  said  house  is  to  be 
built,  may  direct  ;  provided,  however, 
that  none  be  required  to  serve  more  than 
four  years,  unless  indispensably  neces- 
sary. No  person  shall  be  considered 
eligible  as  a  Trustee  for  any  of  our  Meet- 
ing Houses  who  is  not  a  regular  member 
of  our  church. 

Ques.  How  are  the  Trustees  to  pro- 
ceed in  building  a  house  ? 

Ans.  No  Society  shall  commence  the 
building  of  any  Meeting  House,  without 
first  getting  an  act  of  incorporation  where 
the  law  of  the  State  requires  it.  They 
shall  form  an  estimate  of  the  amount 
necessary  to  procure  a  lot,  to  build,  and 
to  make  such  other  improvements  as  may 
be  conceived  necessary.  And  they  shall 
at  no  time  proceed  with  the  building  of 
a  house  of  worship,  beyond  the  means, 
either  in  hand,  or  sufficiently  secured,  go 


DISCIPLINE.  91 

as  to  avoid  involving  our  houses  of 
worship  any  way  in  debt;  and  also  se- 
cure a  lawful  title  for  the  lot  upon  which 
they  intend  to  build. 

To  hold  annual  meetings,  and  keep  a 
fair  and  regular  record  of  the  transactions 
of  their  Board,  in  a  book  provided  for 
that  purpose,  which  shall  at  all  times  be 
open  for  inspection  by  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference of  said   Circuit  or  Station. 

To  take  charge  of  the  Meeting  House 
property,  furniture,  premises,  burial 
grounds,  &c. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  a  va- 
cancy or  vacancies  occur  in  the  Board  of 
Trustees  ? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Quar- 
terly Conference  to  appoint  a  suitable 
person  or  persons  to  fill  such  vacancies. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  any 
of  our  houses  are  vacant  ? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  Quar- 
terly Conference,  of  the  nearest  circuit, 
or  station  to  appoint  not  less  than  three 


92  UNITED    BRETHREN 

suitable  persons  for  Trustees,  who  shall 
have  the  power  when  authorized  by  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  of  that  Conference, 
to  lease,  rent  or  sell  such  meeting  house, 
and  the  appurtenances  belonging  to  it ; 
and  to  appropriate  the  money  arising  from 
such  lease,  rent  or  sale,  to  what  said  Con- 
ference may  direct. 

The  above  rules  to  be  observed  in  pur- 
chasing or  building  parsonage  houses. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  our  Presiding 
Elders,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to  appoint, 
or  see  that  three  or  five  suitable  persons 
are  appointed  with  the  consent  of  the 
Quarterly  Conference,  to  take  up  sub- 
scriptions to  build  or  purchase  parsonage 
houses  for  their  respective  Stations  or  Cir- 
cuits, the  same  to  be  deeded  to  those 
three  or  five  Trustees,  and  their  succes- 
sors in  office,  for  the  use  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  We  com- 
mand that  all  our  parsonage  houses  be 
plain,  and  located  in  some  central  place. 


DISCIPLINE.  93 

Note. — The  Trustees  should  be  care- 
ful in  all  cases  to  have  deeds  of  convey- 
ance legally  executed,  and  recorded  in 
the  county  records  where  the  property  is: 
that  is,  to  have  the  deed  made  to  them 
and  to  their  successors  in  office,  in  trust, 
for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  and  to  erect  and  build,  or  cause  to 
be  built,  a  house  of  worship  for  the  mem- 
bers of  said  church. 

SECTION  XXXVI. 

Charters. 

Whereas  the  laws  of  certain  States 
require  Churches  and  institutions  to  be 
incorporated,  in  order  to  be  recognized  in 
law  : 

Therefore,  in  such  cases  the  Quarterly 
Conferences  of  the  respective  circuits,  sta- 
tions, and  Missions,  shall  appoint  a  com- 
petent committee,  consisting  of  three, 
who  shall  apply  to  the  proper  source  for 
an  Act  of  Incorporation,  on  all  the 
church  property  within  the  bounds  of  such 


^4  tNltED    BREYhREK 

circuit,  station,  oi-  mission ;  and  at  th^ 
last  Quarterly  Conference  of  each  yeat- 
the  presiding  Elder  shall  examine  said 
committee  in  reference  to  the  above  sub* 
ject. 

2.  When  Legacies  are  bequeathed 
to  the  Church,  the  names  of  the  presiding 
Bishops  should  be  inserted  in  the  will  of 
the  Testator,  to  be  Under  the  control  of 
said  Bishops  and  their  successors  in  of- 
fice, to  be  appropriated  to  the  purpose 
specified  by  the  donors. 

SECTION    XXXVII. 

Certificates. 

Members  of  our  society  moving  to  oth» 
er  places,  and  seeking  admission  there, 
shall  procure  such  a  Certificate  as  the 
following,  signed  by  a  leader  or  preacher: 

"  This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  ameni- 
ber  of  good  standing  in  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at 

(Date,  &c,) 

A  Preacher  removing  from  one  Confer- 
ence district  to  another,    shall,  when  he 


DISCIPMNK.  65 

applies  to  another  Conference  for  admis- 
sion, produce  a  transfer  from  the  Confer- 
ence to  which  he  formerly  belonged > 
signed  by  the  Presiding  Officer. 

(Form  of  Transfer.) 

This  is  to  certify  that is  a  regu- 
lar   or in  the  church  of  the 

United     Brethren    in    Christ,    of 

Annual  Conference,  and  is  hereby  trans- 
ferred  to Annual    Conference   of 

eaid  Church. 


ERRATUM. 


lu  pl-epariilg  the  corrections  and  addhions  of  the 
discipline  as  directed  by  General  Conference,  the  fol- 
lowing clause,  which  should  have  been  placed  after 
the  3d  answer  to  the  2lid  question,  4th  section,  was 
overlooked  : 

No  preacher  shall  be  permitted  to  electioneer  favor- 
able to  his  own  election  to  any  office,  or  delegation 
in  the  church,  and  should  any  be  found  doing  so,  he 
»hall  be  accountable  to  the  next  Annual  Conference 
of  which  he  is  a  member,  to  be  dealt  with  according 
to  the  judgment  of  said  Conference. 

J.  MONTGOMERY,  Scc'y  Gen.  Con.  "** 


INDEX. 

Ardent  Spirits, 79      ' 

Bishops,  Election  asd  duties  of       •        •        .        -62 
Benevolent  Fund  Constitution,        -        -        -        -68 

Book  AgeHcy, 86      ] 

Building  Meeting  Houses,        •        -        .        •        -  •  89      : 

Confession  of  Faith, 12 

Constitution, 15     J 

Conference,  General 18 

Annual,        -•.-.•      22      ; 
"  Quarterly,        •        •        .        -        •        •  35      | 

Course  of  Reading,        -•••.-        26 

Classes, _•   44      j 

Children,  instruction  of  -  •  -  "•  77      : 

Charters,        ........         93     j 

Certificates,  •  •  -  •  •        -    94     | 

Doctrinal  Publications,  •  -  •  •    78     ; 

Elders,  election  of  ■  .  -  ■        -    Si     ' 

*'  duties  of  -  -  •  .  -    57      i 

"  ordination  of  ■  .  •  -       57      ' 

•'  Presiding,  -•  -  •  •        -  61 

Free  Masonry,  -  -  -  -  -       80     1 

Itinerancy,  organization  of  •  -  -        27      1 

Immoral  conduct  of  preachers,        -        -        -        •  64     j 

Missionary  Societies, 32     ^ 

♦'  "  German,        -  -  -     34 

Members  in  General, ^^      1 

Marriage  Ceremony,            -            •            -            -         72 
Origin  of  the  church,         -           -           -           •  3     ] 

Oaths,            -            •            •            •            •            .  79     I 

Preachers,  reception  of           •           '           •  '  ^i     ^ 

Preachers'  duties,           -           -           •           •  "^^ 

Circuit  Preachers'  duties,           .           •           •        51 
Printing  Establishment,           •           •            •  82     : 

Salaries,            -            -            •            •            •         -         66 
Sabbath  Schools,           -           •           •           .        •       78 
Slavery,            •            -            •            -            .          •         81 
Visiting  from  house  to  houae,        •         •          •         '^a     I 
Union,  necessity  of 78 


BX9878.52  .Al  1849 

Origin,  doctrine,  constitution,  and 

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